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Tasting Grace

It's been over a month since I returned from the Holy Land and it's only recently that I've been able to share what I've been pondering in my heart...

Mt. Tabor – Where the first taste of Grace was given.

There are some places that are holy. Places where the presence of God is felt, places where a fresh revelation of who He is comes forth.Mt. Tabor, Israel, is one of those places.

It loomed large as we approached.The ascent quieting as we wound our way up, up to the place where the Glory and Grace of God converged. Cobbled stones, iron gates, garden, and church are there on the peak.But it is not their presence that afford the holiness of the site.No, it’s what happened there over 2,000 years ago.Jesus took Peter, James, and John up this mountain and there He was transfigured – His Glory revealed – and His face shone as the sun and His clothes the brightest white. There with Jesus appeared Elijah and Moses and they were talking.And God shrouded them in a cloud and declared His pleasure in His Son Jesus.

With all that is going on here it would be easy to miss something else powerful. (I did for many years, until I, myself, stood in that place and the Word of God was read and revealed) If you know this story, then you may also remember that Moses was not allowed to bring the people into the Holy Land because he took for himself, the Glory due to God, while he lead the Israelites in the desert.(Numbers 20) God took Moses to a high mountain and let him look over the Holy Land, then Moses died.

So here, on Mt. Tabor, with Jesus, stands Moses – in his flesh (don’t even know how God did that but it just makes me more in awe of Him!) IN the Holy Land!Oh, oh….. did you get that?!?!Moses got to come into the very place God had forbidden for him.How?J E S U S.Jesus.Jesus changes everything! The Grace that Jesus offers, that He IS, clears our past, changes us, changes everything!Moses’ past was no longer.In the presence of Jesus all things are righted!

Moses, he was the first to get to taste the grace!!!2,000 years ago!Even before the cross!Oh, oh, because in Christ Jesus ALL things are possible!

On that mountain top, sitting under the revelation of God’s Word and Grace, I couldn’t contain the awe and joy.It leaked out in sobs and was only satisfied in reverent silence.That day I got a greater glimpse of the depth and breadth and height of my Savior’s love –like gazing into His eyes.Undone.Undone, because I too have tasted that most beautiful and costly Grace – in fact, gobbled in down hungrily as one starving, near death.For, in truth, I was. Now standing here, Grace filled and it swells within as the revelation takes hold. And knees must bend under the weight of it, and head must bow in His Holy Presence and silent awe must replace even prayer and breath draws in the vastness of it, capturing its essence, soaking. No right words come, so, simply, thank You Lord, thank You.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved even a wretch like me…

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Sister, thank you for letting the experience percolate until the Spirit is ready to speak forth. While you were in Israel my prayer was for you to SOAK it all in. Just SOAK. All glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for their continued work in your life.

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